A tough game on paper. We knew Hallcross would come and play defensive and try and restrict us. The pitch was also a hinderence today. Bit soft and loads of leaves made it a bit of a mare.
We had a full squad for the first time this year. So unfortuantely Danno had to be left out altogether today. No reflection on Danno, he had been ill for a few week and had missed training and last weeks match so he was the obvious choice. He'll be back in action next week!
We started quite well and passed the ball quite well on a poor surface. Maddo and Ferg were quite prominent. On 12 minutes we were awarded a free kick. Maddo persuaded Rodders he'd be best to take it. He duly smashed a unstoppable shot in the top corner. Right were the postatge stamp goes. It was a body blow for Hallcross who had done ok to that point.
The game became scrappy midway throught the first half. No ones fault really we were trying to play but was continually hindered by the roll of the pitch.
It took till five minutes before half time for us to click into irressistable form. First Maddo and Ferg combined well for Fergy to smash past the keeper. Then good work from Chris Caddy laid Ferg in again who finished well on 32 mins. To cap a great 5 mins a great move saw Ferg lay Maddo in who smashed a low and hard shot past the keeper. Devastating 4-0!!
Looking round Hallcross looked shell shocked. They had been done by four TOP QUALITY finishes.
HALF TIME 4-0
As always half time we started to ring the changes. So understandably things got scrappy.
Rhys Moran made up for last weeks disappointment of not figuring much with a sweet strike to make it 5-0. This proved the ideal time to get the rest of the subs on. That meant we had five new faces on the pitch. What a strong squad we have now. Superb !
The last 20 mins proved a none game. Bit boring really except for a great save for DEC ther Hallcross keeper. Catty latched onto a clearance and smashed a great shot that looked destined for the top corner before Dec intervened. Diving full length he flung his right hand up and tipped what looked a certain goal around the post!
FULL TIME 5-0
Well done today boys another tricky game put to bed!
Conclusion - a hard game to be a manager or coach today. We had to leave a player out for the first time. Plus with such a large squad with players of similar abilities it sometimes comes down to little things that helps make the decision on who plays who to swap!
Things like how training goes, do you look confident, are you buzzing. Good attitude and the team has got to come first. Thats for all of us. Thats why we are TOP!! No prima donnas. Please remember that!
Two good examples lately are Chris Caddy and Brett Catt. A month ago neither looked like they were in great form. Chris started to blossom in training and has looked sharp as a tack since. Brett switching to sweeper has been the making of him. He is back to the form of two/three years ago when he was a regular in the league REP side.
The moral is work hard, keep your chin up and be ready to play your part in a long season with loads of twists and turns.
Whats that famous saying " form is temporary, class is permanent"!
